Member for Currumbin Jann Stuckey MP has slammed the previous Government for lying to residents about the Mudgeeraba to Tugun powerlines project that saw months of unnecessary heartache.

Following a detailed review Energex has now cancelled the Mudgeeraba to Tugun 110kv Powerline Project confirming that electricity demand on the southern Gold Coast can be sufficiently serviced from the existing network until beyond 2020.

“Whilst welcome news for the hundreds of residents that would have been affected by this upgrade the cancellation of the project doesn’t erase the community heartache that residents suffered,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The Bligh Government imposed countless months of unnecessary anxiety and stress on residents and virtually forced some residents out of their house.

“The Labor Government lied in claiming the project needed to be delivered soon as it now appears those timelines were based solely on an attempt to meet the needs of the Tugun Desalination plant, a fact they denied vehemently.

A member of the Community Reference Group and Stop the Overhead Powerlines action group, Mr Norman Jefferson, said that whilst the result was pleasing it is extremely disappointing that so much heartache was caused when all the issues cited now were brought up in their first meeting and all the stress could have been avoided.

“I will continue to fight for our community to ensure that the future construction of projects has the least possible impact on established communities taking into account social costs and community impacts along with financial costs.Ends